My heart sank. Of course Altan brought bad news.

“He’s convinced his people that he knew the attack on the empire would fail, and the only thing left to do, as a proper follower of Anahera, is to begin again. He’s at the Archland Ruins, only a few hours’ walk from here, with an army of his own, as well as some fanatics and political enemies—including your mother.”

My legs felt weak, but I locked my knees and forced my voice steady. “Why?”

“The Book of Destruction speaks of a sacrifice, doesn’t it?”

“What?” I breathed. “He can’t. Surely he wouldn’t.”

Altan almost looked like he felt sorry for me. “He believes the sacrifice is necessary to complete the Great Abandonment and bring about a new world—one he intends to rule.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

WASTED TIME MEANT WASTED LIVES.

While Ilina and Zara went to charm wagons and horsecarres out of local shop owners, Gerel, Naran, and forty dishonored warriors lifted the first dragon off the ship and settled her on a platform meant for moving cargo crates. I could have done it more quickly, but the last time I’d merged with her, I’d lost track of everything. If we wanted to get to the ruins, and if I wanted to appeal to the gods without getting shot out of the sky with arrows, then we needed to do this the long way. It was the only chance of success, no matter how I wanted to fly across the desert and breathe fire upon my enemies.

There was too much of a risk of hurting my allies. My mother.

Within the hour, we’d accumulated fifteen wagons, drawn by thirty horses, and another quintet of horses to pull the first dragon’s platform. And then we rolled north on Revis Avenue—all one hundred and forty people who’d joined me. My army, Gerel announced.

1. Safa. Over a dozen girls had escaped from Idris, but when people found out these were the last children of Idris, families took in the others without question. Only Safa remained with us, refusing to be separated from Aaru ever again.
2. One hundred and five dishonored, including Naran.
3. Altan, unfortunately. Some people didn’t care that they weren’t invited.
4. My friends and sister, of course.
5. Twenty-seven people from Flamecrest, who just wanted to help.

Then there were the dragons, although the seven we’d taken from the empire had flown off to reunite with the others, so that left LaLa, Crystal, and Kelsine, who were only permitted to come because I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving them behind.

As we rode through Flamecrest, LaLa curled up in my lap, pressing her nose into my stomach every so often, while Kelsine was resting on the floor of the wagon, her brown body leaned against my legs like she needed constant reassurance of my presence.

Gerel and Chenda drove our wagon, while seven of us sat in the back—Ilina, Hristo, Zara, Aaru, Safa, Altan, and me—bouncing every time a wheel caught in a rut. It was jarring and uncomfortable, but better than walking through the crowded streets of Flamecrest.